American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 235 February 2019 | Page 6

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“the perfect combination of power,
performance and technology,” features
will include acceleration from 0 to 60
mph in under 3.5 seconds - “the instant
torque provided by the H-D Revelation
electric powertrain can produce 100
percent of its rated torque the instant
the throttle is twisted, and 100 percent
of that torque is always available.”
Citing the ease-of-use of ‘Twist-and-
Go’ platforms, Harley states that
“electric power requires no clutch and
no gear shifting, greatly simplifying
operation for new riders. All riders will
appreciate the braking effect of the
power regeneration mode as it adds
charge to the battery, especially in stop-
and-go urban traffic.”
With connectivity and electronic rider
aids informing much of the R&D
investment budgets for the whole of the
global motorcycle industry at this time,
the LiveWire will be equipped with H-D
Connect, which pairs motorcycle riders
with their bikes through an LTE-enabled
Telematics Control Unit (developed in
conjunction with Panasonic), coupled
with connectivity and cloud services
using the latest version of the Harley-
Davidson App.
LTE is a 4G connection protocol
(“fourth-generation
long
term
evolution”) offering a connection that
is more reliable and delivers much
higher speeds than conventional 4G
and the 3G it replaces - up to 10 times
faster than most 3G connections.
Harley says that this technology will
make the LiveWire motorcycle the first
North American mass-market cellular-
connected electric motorcycle. With H-
D Connect, data is collected and
transferred to the App to provide
information to the rider’s smartphone
about a range of functions including
motorcycle status. Information
available through H-D Connect includes
battery charge status and available
range from any location where a
sufficient cellular signal is available.
This allows the rider to remotely check
the charge status, including charge level
and time to completion. “Riders will be
able to locate a charging station with
6
ease thanks to an integrated location
finder built into the H-D App.”
H-D Connect features tamper alerts and
vehicle location, indicating the location
of the parked LiveWire motorcycle with
alerts sent to the rider’s smartphone if
the bike is tampered with or moved and
includes GPS-enabled stolen-vehicle
tracking, service reminders and
notifications, performance and range
optimization “for the urban street rider,
who will be able to travel an estimated
110 miles of urban roads on a single
charge.”
The chassis is designed to deliver agile
handling for “confident control on
urban streets and a thrilling ride on
curving backroads,” with the H-D
Revelation powertrain sitting “low in
the motorcycle to lower the center of
gravity and help the motorcycle handle
well at all speeds and make it easier to
balance when stopped.” LiveWire is
also said to feature advanced
technology
including
standard
cornering-enhanced anti-lock braking
system and traction control. The systems
are said to be “fully electronic and
utilize the latest inertial measurement
unit and ABS sensor technology.”
Harley says it is also addressing the
issues of sound and vibration, claiming
that LiveWire will feature a “distinctive
Harley-Davidson sound and minimal
vibration - the powertrain produces
minimal vibration, heat and noise, all of
which enhance rider comfort. The
LiveWire model is designed to produce
a new signature Harley-Davidson sound
as it accelerates and gains speed. This
new futuristic sound represents the
smooth electric power of the LiveWire
motorcycle.
The onboard Level 1 charger and power
cord can connect to any standard
household outlet and get a full charge
overnight. For a faster charge, riders can
visit any public Level 3 DC Fast Charge
station. Harley says the riding range
estimates are based on current SAE
testing of LiveWire concept models -
“actual riding range will vary based on
several factors including weather and
driving conditions - and that the H-D
Connect service will not be available in
all markets, with market availability
being announced when LiveWire starts
to ship in August 2019.
AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - FEBRUARY 2019
www.AMDchampionship.com